MP: Padu info too sensitive

‘debt, loans are overly personal to be shared on public domain’

PERSONAL information, including debts and loans, required by the Central Database Hub (Padu) system, is too sensitive to be shared on any public domain, says Putrajaya MP Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Jidin.

According to Radzi, Padu requires information on housing, vehicles, education and personal loans, along with health and education insurance.

“For many Malaysians, the requested information, particularly debt, is considered too personal, and it is seldom shared in any public domain,” he said during his speech on the motion of thanks on the royal address yesterday.

He said the public wanted to know if they have to disclose their debts.

“Will those with high debts be entitled to more welfare? This should be clarified,” added Radzi.

He also said many Malaysians are wondering about the benefits of getting registered with Padu.

“If there are targeted subsidies, then what forms of help will they receive?” he said.

Radzi said there are 39 separate details required by Padu, and many Malaysians do not see the need to disclose such information, which is available with the relevant ministries and agencies.

“For example, the Inland Revenue Board has income records for Malaysians.

“So they are asking why doesn’t the government include the information (in Padu) or ‘pre-fill’ the information?

“If some amendments are needed to facilitate this, then why wasn’t it done before Padu was launched?” asked Radzi.

Padu was launched by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Jan 2.

So far, about four million Malaysians have signed up for it.

“This figure is around 18% of the 21.97 million Malaysians, aged 18 and above.

“The percentage of those who registered after Padu was launched two months ago is considered too low,” he said.

At the same time, Radzi also wanted to know the main agency involved in verifying the data uploaded on Padu.

“Say 21 million Malaysians above 18 years old have registered for Padu, and 75% filled in data about their loans and insurance,” he said.

“Who will verify this data? Will the government receive this data without verification?”

Radzi proposed Australia’s “Centrelink” welfare system to be used as a reference in implementing Padu.

“In this context, the ministry and agency can create welfare programmes and initiatives, but a sole agency will evaluate who is qualified to receive aid and how much aid they should receive.

“The evaluation will be based on information from the database to ensure aid distribution does not overlap and no one will be left out from receiving help,” added Radzi.

The Padu registration is open to the public from Jan 2 to March 31.

Users can update and verify 30 personal details, such as household numbers, residential addresses and ID card numbers.

“So they (Malaysians) are asking why doesn’t the government include the information (in Padu) or ‘pre-fill’ the information?” Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Jidin